USTAV PRO SOUDOBE DEJINY AV CR V.V.I

Their core work

The Institute of Contemporary History is a research institute within the Czech Academy of Sciences focused on the political, intellectual, and social history of Central and Eastern Europe from the 20th century to the present. Their work spans the study of communist regimes, post-communist transitions, and the cultural dimensions of economic transformation in the region. More recently, they have expanded into science diplomacy and the global politics of research data governance, bridging historical analysis with contemporary policy questions.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

Their earlier H2020 work (2018) focused squarely on the internal history of Central Europe — specifically the cultural dimensions of post-socialist economic transformation (ATFM). By 2022, the Institute broadened its scope significantly: NATCOM continued the regional political history thread, but NEWORLDatA marked a clear pivot toward transnational and global themes — science diplomacy, Global North-South dynamics, and international data governance. This shift suggests a deliberate move from nationally-bounded historical inquiry toward globally-connected, policy-relevant research.

The Institute is moving from purely historical scholarship toward policy-relevant research on how science, data, and diplomacy intersect globally — making them increasingly relevant for interdisciplinary consortia.

How they like to work

With 2 out of 3 projects as coordinator, the Institute prefers to lead its own research agendas rather than serve as a junior partner. Their consortia are small and focused (10 unique partners across 8 countries), typical of ERC and MSCA individual fellowship formats. This signals an organization comfortable with intellectual leadership on niche topics, though not experienced in managing large multi-partner projects.

They have collaborated with 10 unique partners across 8 countries, reflecting a geographically diverse but small network consistent with ERC and MSCA-scale projects rather than large consortia.

What sets them apart

The Institute occupies a rare niche: deep expertise in Central and Eastern European contemporary history combined with an emerging capability in science diplomacy and global research governance. For consortium builders, they bring the historical and geopolitical depth that most science policy teams lack — understanding how Cold War legacies and post-communist transitions shape today's international research cooperation. Few organizations can bridge 20th-century political history with current debates about global data governance.

Highlights from their portfolio

• NEWORLDatA
  Uniquely bridges Cold War history with contemporary science diplomacy and global research data politics — a rare interdisciplinary combination with direct policy relevance.
• NATCOM
  ERC Advanced Grant (the most competitive individual funding scheme in Europe) studying the intellectual roots of national communism and its links to present-day illiberal democracy.